Explosive flux compression generators for rail gun power sources

Conference · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1980

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1109/TMAG.1982.1061778· OSTI ID:6747882

Fowler, C M; Peterson, D R; Caird, R S; Erickson, D J; Freeman, B L; King, J C

A class of explosive magnetic flux compression generators is described that has been used successfully to power rail guns. A program to increase current magnitudes and pulse lengths is outlined. Various generator loss terms are defined and plans to overcome some of them are discussed. Included are various modifications of the conventional strip generators that are more resistant to undesirable expansion of generator components from magnetic forces. Finally, an integral rail gun is discussed that has coaxial geometry. Integral rail guns utilize the rails themselves as flux compression generator elements and, under ideal conditions, are theoretically capable of driving projectiles to arbitrarily high velocities. Integral coaxial rail guns should be superior in some regards to their square bore counterparts.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos Scientific Lab., NM (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• OSTI ID: 6747882
• Report Number(s): LA-UR-80-3190; CONF-801138-3
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
420200* -- Engineering-- Facilities
Equipment
& Techniques
CAPACITORS
CHEMICAL EXPLOSIVES
ELECTRIC GENERATORS
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
EXPLOSIVES
FABRICATION
IMPACT FUSION DRIVERS
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MAGNETIC FLUX
POWER SUPPLIES
PROJECTILES
RAILGUN ACCELERATORS